Domestic appliance



March 5, 1946.

J. B. DYER DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed Jan. 31, 1940 2 SheetQs-Sheet 1 1a. JAM, 35,1; A TTORNEY.

M i U March 5, 1946. J. B. DYER DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed Jan. 51, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE nonmsrrc arrmmca John B. Dyer, Dayton, Ohio, aslignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware .A pplication In!!!" an 1940, Serial No. 316,599 '1- Claims. (or. 38-54) of moisture can be simultaneously applied to vari- I ous areas of an article of apparel passing through the machine, the quantity of moisture applied within the individual areas being individually controlled.

A still, further and important object of this invention is to provide an improved ironing machine wherein the ironing or pressing shoe is composed of a large major shoe and a small end shoe, said shoes working individually or in cooperation, and'wherein a smooth concentric padded surface on the roll of the machine is provided to permit even operating pressure of the shoes upon the roll, whereby the quantity of moisture applied to the articles of apparel passing through the machine can be evenly distributed within a controlled area. y

In accomplishing the aforementioned object. it isan object of this invention to provide a padded roll for an ironing machine which will present a smooth substantially concentric working surface by causing the surface pad to be wound upon the roll in a continuously increasing spiral.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following de'- scription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown- In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an ironing machine incorporating features of my invention;

Fig. '2 is a plan view of the ironing machine showing the manner in which a plurality of shoes are positioned with respect to the roll of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the small end shoe, taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the small shoe showing the ironing or pressing surface;

Fig. 5 is a perspective transverse cross-sectional view of the major shoe taken substantially alon the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a roll and cooperating shoe showing a modified form of the invention.

In this invention, the ironing machine consists of a table Ill, a roll or padded member I l, a major shoe l2 and a small end shoe it. The rotation of the roll or padded member II and the movement of the shoes I 2 and i3, with respect to the roll I I, is controlled and operated by means of a suitable mechanism enclosed within the housing It. A drive shaft I5 extends from the mechanism en- Y .closedwithin the housing It and is suitably connected to the roll II for rotating the roll according to the operation of the mechanism, which is controlled by the operator of the machine. A rock shaft it also extends from the mechanism contained within the housing and is interconnected with the shoes l2 and i3 to cause advancement or retraction of the shoes with respect to the roll ll, under control of the mechanism contained within the housing I 4, according to the desires of the operator of the machine.

An electric motor I! may be positioned below the mechanism housing I 4 and be suitably geared to the mechanism contained within the housing I 4 for driving the same. The electric motor I! may be a variable speed type in order to vary the speed of the roll-driving portion of the mechanism and thus vary the speed of rotation of the roll, or a suitable interchange of gear ratios may be provided within the driving mechanism for changing the speed of rotation of the roll II when a constant speed motor is used. Either of the speed change functions may be controlled by a hand-operated lever it.

The interconnection of the driving elements of the drive mechanism with the driven elements of the drive mechanism may be controlled by means .of a lever Hi. This lever is is suitably interconnected with the working mechanism within the housing It to control starting and stopping rotation of the roll H and for advancing or retracting the shoes I! and is with respect to the roll ll, all of which functions are under control of the operator by movement of the lever iii.

In order to provide for a position wherein the roll Ii will be stationary, but the shoes 12 and i3 or both are advanced against the roll ii, thereby providing a press position, a lever 20 is provided with a suitable interconnection with the mechanism for declutching the roll from the driving portions of the drive mechanism.

All of the aforementioned function of an ironing machine mechanism are well known in the art and. as examples, suitable mechanisms. are

shown in U. 3. Patents to Janda 2,026,345, Foley 1,970,511 and Peter et al. 1,921,301, which mechanisms perform one or more of the aforementioned operations.

The shoes l2 and I3 of my ironing machine are mounted upon channel-shaped members 2| and 22 respectively. These channel-shaped 'members 2| and 22 are, in turn. mounted upon the.

rock shaft IS. The rock shaft l6 extends from the mechanism housing l4 and is substantially as long as the roll II. The channel-shaped member 22. which carries the small end shoe i3, is mounted upon the rock haft l6 near the end thereof. thereby locating the small shoe at the open end of the roll II. The channel-shaped member 2|. which carries the malor shoe I2. is mounted centrally upon the shoe l2 which, there by, centralizes the shoe I2 and t e carryin member 2| with respect to t e roll I l to provide an even distribution of pressure of the shoe l2 upon the roll H.

The shaft R may be rock d in the same manner as shaft 20 in Folev 1.970.511 or in the same manner as shaft 32 in Peter et al. 1.921.301. Applicants lever l9 may perform t e same functions as button I22 of Jamie. 2 026.345 to clutch the ro l H to the motor l1 and to actuate the shoe rocking mechanism. A licant's lever 20 corresponds to Jandas lever I02 for the purpose of disconnecting the r ll to revent its rotation; but to allow the rocking of the shoe structure. Apnllcants lever l8 may ch n e the s eed of rotation of the roll it by actu ting a two-s eed switch c ntrolling the motor E1 in such a manner as to energize diff rent win ings of the motor in a. manner well-known in the motor control in ustry- The loose connection w ich s ports the major shoe l2 upon the channel-shaped carrying member 25 comprises a yo e 25 w ich is ri' dly attached to t e sh e E2. The yoke 2A str dd es a spacing block 25. A ivot pin 21 extends through t e side wal s of the channel-shaped member 2i, the yoke 2 and the spacing block 25, thereby providing a hin ed mounting joint for the shoe i2 and the block 25. An adjustable length pin 25 extends from one end of the bl ck 25 and enga es a cantilever spring 28. This spring 28 extends through a sl t 29 in the rock shaft it and provides the driving connection between the rock shaft iii and the shoe i2 through the pin and block connections 25 and '25, w ereby the shoe i2 is caused to advance or retract from the roll H according to the rotation of the rock shaft it. A handle 3@ extends from the upper end of the spacing bl ck 25 which provides means to pivot the block'25 and pin 26 about the pivot pin 21 to cause disengagement of the pin 26 from the cantilever driving spring 28, when it is desired by the operator to relieve the shoe l2 of pressure against the roll i i so that the shoe l2 will be inoperative in its pressing or ironing function.

A similar hinged joint is provided for support-- ing the small end shoe 13 upon the channelshaped carrying member 22. This joint comprises a yoke 3! which straddles a spacing block '32. The block 32 carries an adjustable pin 33 on one end thereof and a handl 34 on the shoe l3 upon the channel-shaped member 22 and to provide a pivoted Joint for the block 32. The pin 33 may be released from engagement with the cantilever spring 35 by moving the handle 34, causing the block 32 to be rotated about the pin 31. This disengagement of the pin 33 from the cantilever spring 35 releases the pressure of the shoe l3 against the roll II, so that the shoe will become inoperative.

This arrangement for mounting the shoes l2 and I3 is such that both shoes may be caused to simultaneously engage the roll ll upon advancement of the shoes by rotation of the rock shaft i6 and function as a single shoe element, or each of the shoes may be individually released of its driving engagement with the rock shaft IE to permit the other of the shoes to advance against the roll and operate as an individual shoe element. Either of the shoes may thus be used individually for ironing or pressing articles of apparel.

When using domestic ironing machines, it is the usual practice to dampen the articles of apparel prior to the time they are to be ironed upon the machine. This dampening of clothes is usually done by hand and particularly by sprinkling a quantity of water over the articles of clothing. This method of dampening clothes results in considerable uneveness of distribution of moisture upon the articles. When such dampened articles are sent through an ironing machine. the areas cf the articles of apparel which have been over-moistened will leave the machine in a dampened condition. Unless the articles are perfectly dry after they leave the machine, they will again wrinkle upon the least movement of the article, particularly in the areas which are stil moist.

To relieve this situation, I provide by my invention, means to moisten the articles of apparel as they enter the ironing or pressing areas of the machine, and to provide means whereby the moisture may be evenly distributed over the articles of apparel, or the moisture within certain areas may be changed to meet various material requirements within difierent areas while the arti cle is passing through the machine.

The shoe ii of the ironing machine is provided with a face or pressure plate 40, the contour of which is arcuate to match the diameter of the roll it. An electric heating element ii is in thermal association with the pressure plate 40. This heating element 4! may be of any of the conventional structures used in ironing machines which usually comprise an electric resistance element positioned between mica insulating members. A metal back plate 42 is positioned over the heating element 4! and is of the same arcuate shape as the pressure plate 40. This back plate member 42 is pressed against the heating element 4! and the element 4! is in turn pressed against the pressure plate by means of a channel-shaped member 43. The back plate 42 and the channel member 43 are thus arranged in thermal association with the electric heating element 4| for the shoe l2. A hood 44 encloses the exposed upper face of the pressure plate 40, heating element 4| and clamping means 42 and 43.

Within the interior of the hood 44, I provide a flash vapor-generating device. This device comprises an elongated vapor-generating tank 50, a liquid reservoir 5i and a control valve 52. Liquid, such as water, is admitted to the vapor-generating tank 66 from the reservoir 6| under'eontrol of the valve 62. I

The vapor-generating tank 60 extends throughout the longitudinal length of the shoe l2 and is in thermal transfer relationship with the clamping plate 63 throughout its entire length within the shoe i2. Since the clamping plates 42 and 63 are in thermal association with the heating element ll of the shoe l2, heat will be conducted through the plates 42 and 63 to the vapor-gencrating tank 66. Since the wall 53 of the tank at 66, has one end thereof which engages the spring 61 and has a button 66a mounted upon the opposite end thereof. This button 66a extends through an opening 66 in the pressure plate 40 of the shoe I 2, to permit the button to engage the surface of the roll I i when the shoe I2 is in the advanced position.

v A spring 16 is positioned between the enclosed end of the piston and the body 66 of the valve 62. It is thus seen tha -the piston 62 is a free floating member, the position of which is determined by the respective compression strength oi! the springs 61 and 16.

To control the degree or movement of the piston 62, and thus the degree 01' alignment of the opening 63 in the, piston 62 with the opening 6| in the body 66, a rod 1| extends through the body and adjacent the leading edge thereof. These orifices 56 are in alignment with the throat opening 65 throughout its entire length, and provide means whereby the vapor discharging from the throat 55 is conducted through the pressure plate 40 near the leading edge thereof and between adjacent surfaces of the pressure plate 40 and the roll ll.

The vapor-generating tank 60 with its cooperating throat discharge opening 55 may extend throughout the length of the shoe l2. The cooperating discharge orifices 66 will also extend throughout the length of the shoe and cooperate with the throat discharge opening 65 of the tank 56 to permit an even discharge of vapor through the plurality of orifices over the entire length of the shoe i2. The vapor discharge throat opening 66 and the orifices 56. which cooperate therewith, are so arranged that the vapor is discharged between the pressure plate 40 and the roll H at a point nearest the point of entrance of articles of apparel between the pressure plate 46 and the roll ll.

The arrangement of this invention thus provides an apparatus for utilizing the heating element of the ironing shoe as a means for generating vapor or steam to be applied to articles of apparel as they enter the pressure area between the shoe and the roll, to thereby moisten the articles of apparel just prior to the time they are to be ironed.

In order to control the quantity of water passing from the reservoir 5i to the steam-generating tank 50 and thus control the quantity of steam discharged from the apparatus, the control valve 52 is provided. This control valve consists of a body member. 60 having an opening 6| passing therethrough to interconnect the reservoir 5| with the steam-generating tank 50. To control the fiuid passing through the opening 6|, a piston-type plunger 62 is arranged to intersect the opening 6|. The plunger 62 is provided with an opening 63 through the body portion thereof. This opening 63 may be caused to be brought into or out of alignment with the opening 6| to thereby control the fiow of fluid through the opening 6| and thus control the amount of liquid entering the vapor-generating tank 66.

The piston 62 is slidably mounted within the body 60, and has one end thereof extending from the body 60.. This extending end 65, of the piston 62, is resiliently connected to a pivoted lever 66 through a spring 61. The lever 66, pivoted 60 and may engage the enclosed-end of the pis-,

ton 62. This rod II is provided with a threaded portion 12 and a knob 13 for manually rotating the rod 1L Rotation of the rod II will cause advancement or retraction of the end thereof with respect to the opening 6| in' the body66 and will thus control the degree of movement of the piston 62 and thus the alignment of the opening 63 in the piston 62 with the opening 6| in the body of the valve 52. This manual control of the alignment of the openings 6| and 63 provides means to accurately control the quantity of water fiowing from the reservoir 5| to the steam-generating tank 50 and thus the quantity of steam which can be applied to the articles of apparel passing through the ironing machine.

In view of the fact that the usual temperature of operation of a heating element on an ironing machine is in the neighborhood of 350- F., it may be readily seen that if water is fed in droplets to a surface heated to this temperature, the drops of water will be instantly flashed into a vapor. This manual control of the alignment of the openings 6| and 63 in the control valve 52 determines the rate at which the drops of water are fed onto the hot surface of the steam generator 50 and thus controls the quantity of steam generated. By this arrangement of the vapor generator, it is possible to have a supply of moisture available as soon as the shoe of the ironing machine reaches its working temperature.

When the shoe i2 is in the retracted position with respect to the roll I I, the button 68a mounted upon the arm 66 can move through the opening 69 in the pressure plate 40. The arm 66 will then rotate about its pivot 68, due to the pressure of springs 16 and 61 exerting their pressure against the upper end of the arm 66. Movement of the upper end of the arm 66 will relieve the compression of spring-'61 and permit the spring 10 to move the piston 62 outwardly, whereby the opening 63 in the piston 62 will be moved out of alignment with the opening 6|, thereby stopping the fiow of liquid from the reservoir 5| to the vapor-generating tank 50. As long as the roll is in retracted position, vapor cannot be generated within the tank 50. However, upon advancement of the shoe |2 with respect to the roll II. the arm 66 will be moved to compress spring 61, the compression of which will overcome the com pression of spring 10, whereby the opening 63 will be again brought into alignment with the opening 6|; the degree of alignment of the twoopenings 8| and 63 being determined by the position of the end of the rod 1|.

As disclosed in the drawings, with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that I have shown two steam-generating devices being positioned within the major shoe I2. These steam-generating devices are located at positions 80 and BI respectively and are divided by a partition wall 82. Each of the steam-generating devices is under individual control by means of the manipulating knobs 83 and I3. This arrangement provides means whereby the degree of moisture applied to articles of apparel passing through the machine may be varied over certain areas.

I have also disclosed a separate steam or vapor-generating device 90 positioned within the small end shoe I3. This third device provides an additional area which has individual control over the degree of moisture applied to the articles of apparel passing therethrough.

The steam-generating device 90, provided in the small shoe I3, is similar in all respects with the steam-generating device heretofore described and positioned within the major shoe I2. The device 90 comprises a steam or vapor-generating chamber ill, a liquid reservoir 92 and a control valve 93. The control valve 93 is operated by means of an arm 94 pivoted at 95 and functions in all respects the same as the liquid control valve 52. The flash vapor or steam-generating chamber 9I is, however, shown in the .small shoe I3 as being in direct thermal association with the heating element 96 of the pressure shoe 9'I. Suitable orifices 98 are provided in the pressure plate 9'! to conduct the vapor from the steam-generating chamber 9I to between adjacent surfaces of the pressure plate 9'! and the roll I I.

The small end shoe I3 is provided with an oblique point 99, the orifices 98 following the general contour of the oblique point 99 whereby a greater number of orifices occur at the oblique point, thereby providing the greatest quantity of moisture at the point of the shoe. The arrangement of steam orifices is such,'in the small shoe I3, that the point of greatest usage obtains the greatest amount of moisture.

In order to provide an even distribution of moisture over the articles of apparel as they are passing through the ironing machine, it is necessary that the moisture-exuding orifices in the shoes be retained in close contact with the surface of the roll at all times. It is thus, necessary that both the large and small shoes ride evenly and smoothly over the padded surface of the roll II. If, for any reason, there are any irregularities in the padded surface of the roll II, the shoes I2 and I3, and particularly the small shoe I3, will be caused to ride momentarily in a higher position than normal when the irregularity enters the shoe. thereby raising the front end of the shoe, relieving the pressure of the shoe upon the roll and permitting moisture to escape.

To provide a smooth and substantially concentric surface on the padded surface of the roll II, whereby the shoes I2 and I3 may be caused to ride in a constant plane, the pad material for the roll is wound upon the sheet metal base of the roll in a continuously increasing spiral. The roll consists of a tubular sheet metal member I which has a surface contour formed as one convolution of a spiral. The degree of spiraling of the sheet metal member I00 is equal to the thickness of the pad which is to be wound upon the roll. The ends of the sheet metal roll member I00 are bent inwardly of the roll, thereby forming flanges IOI and I02. The starting end I03 of the pad member I04 is clamped between the flanges IIJI and I02, thereby securely fastening the same to the roll I00.

When the pad I04 is then wound about the surface of the sheet metal member I00, the first consecutive layer of pad material will rest directly upon a concentric surface when the pad material reaches the starting point of winding, since the depth of the recess in the sheet metal member is equal to the pad thickness. The pad member may continue to wind upon the roll and form subsequent layers of material until the desired thickness of pad has been reached. After the desired number of layers of pad material have been placed upon the roll, the end of the pad material i cut or frayed into a long taper, so as to eliminate any sharp definition of the end of the pad winding. The outer cloth material may then be wound about the roll to retain the pad in position.

This arrangement, in the manner of constructing a padded roll surface, provides a construction whereby any irregularity, due to the starting point of the pad, is eliminated. It is desirable that the starting of the pad winding be securely fastened in place to prevent the pad from slipping around the roll. This is hardly practical when a long tapered forward starting edge of the pad is provided, since the degree of fastening to the thin tapered or frayed edge is of insecure nature. It is thus seen that I have provided a roll structure which will permit the finished padded surface of the roll to be retained in a substantially concentric'form and will eliminate all irregularities in the padded surface of the roll and will permit the shoes of the ironing machine to ride evenly and with constant pressure upon all areas of the padded surface.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a modified form of my invention wherein the vapor or steam-generating device is carried by a shoe of the ironing machine so that it will be advanced or retracted from the roll of the machine when the shoe is advanced or retracted, so that movement of the shoe controls the functioning of the vapor or steam-generating device. This function is similar in all respects to the function of the device heretofore described.

In this modification, however, the roll I50 of the ironing machine comprises a metal cylinder |5I and a pressure pad I52 suitably attached to the roll I5I. An ironing or pressing shoe I53 is provided adjacent the roll I50 and is suitably attached by means (not shown) to a rock shaft which advances or retracts the shoe with respect to the roll, according to the functioning of the driving mechanism of the ironing machine.

The shoe I53 comprises a pressure plate I54 and an enclosing housing I55. Heating elements I 56 are placed in thermal relationship with the pressure plate I54 and are retained in this relationship by means of the back plates I51. A vapor or steam-generating device I60 comp-rising a vapor or steam-generating chamber I6I, aliquid reservoir I62, a control valve I63 and a heating element I64 is mounted upon the ironing shoe I53 and carried thereby. The vapor or steam-gem crating chamber is provided with a throat discharge opening I65 through which vapor discharges through orifices I66 positioned in the pressure plate I54 near the leading edge thereof. Vapor generated within the chamber IBI is thus applied to articles of apparel entering between the shoe I53 and the roll I 50.

The amount of vapor or steam generated by the steam-generating chamber depends upon the quantity of liquid vaporized by the heating element I64. The amount of liquid which enters the chamber is controlled by means of the valve I63. This valve IE3 is provided with a pin I 61 mga r the pin tofibre'ak alignment with the liquid"- passage through the fvalve 'f I 63', thereby stopping the flow of liquid through the passage. A'sflorig 'as the shoe is in the retracted position", liquid cannot flow into th'e steam or vapor-gen eratin'gfchainber I6I andthusno'moisture will be discharged through the openings I66- in the'pressure plate I54. When the shoe is advanced against the roll, the pin I61 will move inwardly, or to the right, to permit alignment of an opening through the pin with the liquid passage through the valve I63. The alignment of the passages in the pin and valve will permit liquid to drop upon the heatingielement I64 which will immediately vaporize the same, filling the chamber I6I with steam. The steam will discharge through the throat I65 and the orifices I66 to be applied to articles or apparel passing between the shoe I53 and the roll I50.

When it is desired to iron clothes, the same are placed between th roll II and the shoe structures I2 and I3. If fiat work is to be ironed, the knobs 30 and 34 of the shoes are pulled forward, and the handle I9 is actuated. This cause rotation of the roll and causes both shoes to be brought forward into contact with the roll. At this time, the levers 66 and 94 are rocked causing introduction of liquid from the liquid chambers 5| and 90 into the vaporizin chambers 50 and 9|. The vapolfiows through the openings 56 and 98 onto thefiat work and aids in the ironing operation. If the speed of rotation of roll II is to-be increased the lever I8 is actuated either to increase the speed of the motor I! or to change the transmission in casing I4 to provide for the change in speed of roll II. If it is desired to press the clothes without relative rotation of the roll I I, the lever 20 only is actuated and this brings the shoes into contact with the stationary roll II. If it is desired to iron collars or other small articles, the knob 30 of shoe I2 is pushed back while the knob 34 of shoe I3 is pulled forward. Thereafter the lever I9 is actuated, whereupon the roll II rotates and the shoe I3 is brought forward into engagement with the roll. As-it comes into engagement, the lever 94 is rocked to introduce liquid from the liquid chamberflfl into the vaporizer 9| to moisten the articles being ironed.

By the arrangement disclosed in my invention, I have provided a greatly improved form of clothes moistening device, in that the operation of the device is entirely automatic, being carried by the shoe of the ironing machine and being governed in its operations by movement of the shoe with respect to the roll, and wherein the degree of moisture of the articles of apparel may be controlled within certain areas of the machine. The clothes moistening device is also particularly advantageous inthat it can utilize a source of heat from the ironing machine which is always available and which source is always of sufficient temperature to generate vapor when liquid is brought into contact with a surface heated by source. Since I have provided a roll which has a smooth revolving surface and substantially concentric in circumference, and since the pressure of the shoe upon the roll will always be constant, in view of the evenness of the contour of the roll, Iam thus able'to control exactly the degree of moistness of articles of apparel passing between the shoe and the roll; While thefformpf embodiment of the invention as, herein described constitutes a preferred form, itis to beunderstood that other forms might beadoptedpall coining within the scope of the a ms'w fo low. "I J What is claime'dis as follows: l e l 1. An ironer'co nprising a padded roll, a major hoe in operative association therewith, a small shoe adjacent the end of the major shoe in operatlve association-with said roll and adapted to be operated in unison with said major shoe and engage said roll simultaneously with said shoe, individual means for heating said shoes, means in thermal association with each of said heatin means to vaporize a liquid for supplying vapor between adjacent faces of said shoes and said roll, said roll having a pad wound upon a spirally shaped tubular base member to provide a surface on said roll which i smooth and substantially concentric whereby said shoes are enabled to ride evenly upon the surlace of said roll when said roll is rotated to evenly distribute vapor throughout defined areas.

2. An ironing machine comprising a padded roll, a shoe, a heating element for said shoe,

means for'changing the operative relationship of said shoe with respect to said roll, a shield forming'an insulating space in the rear of said shoe, a light reservoir supported by said slice in said insulating space, a vapor-generating chamber in said. insulating space in thermal exchange relationsnip with said heating element, valve means intercomiectlng said reservoirand sald vapor generator, means for controlling operation ol' said valve means in response to operation 01 said slice, and means 101' conducting vapor IrOm said genei ator to between adjacent faces of said roll and Said. S1108.

' a. All ironer comprising a padded member, a shoe in operative association therewith. actuating means for causing relative to and iro movement between said shoe and padded member, vapor introducing means for introducing vapor between adjacelit surfaces of said padded member and shoe, and a movable button carried by said shoe and moved relatively to said shoe by contact of said button with said padded member 1'01 controlling said vapor introducing means.

4. An ironer comprising a padded member, a shoe in operative association therewith, actuating means for causing relative to and fro movement between said shoe and padded member, vapor generating means, means for introducin vapor from said vapor generating means between adjacent surfaces of said paddedmember and said shoe, liquid introducing means for introducing liquid into said vapor generating means, and a movable button carried by said shoe and moved relatively to said shoe by contact of said button with said padded member for controllin said 1iquid introducing means.

5. An ironer comprising a padded member, a shoe in operative association therewith, actuating means for causing relative to and fro movement between said shoe and padded member, vapor introducing means for introducing vapor between adjacent surfaces of said padded member and shoe. and means carried by said shoe and having a button operated by contact of said button with said padded member for controlling said vapor introducing means.

8. An ironer comprising a rotatable padded roll ironing member. a shoe ironing member, means to cause relative movement to and fro between said members, said sho member including a face plate having an arcuate transverse cross-section, an enclosing housing mounted on the rear side of said face plate and forming an insulating space, a liquid holding tank in said insulating space, a vaporizing chamber in said insulating space, electric heating means for heating said face plate and for heating a vaporizing surface in said vaporizing chamber, liquid flow means connecting said tank andchamber, a valve in said liquid flow means, and a. device actuated by movement or said ironing members together to open said valve.

7. An ironer comprising a rotatable padded roll ironing member, a shoe ironing member, means to cause relative movement to and fro between said members, said shoe member including a face Plate having an arcuate transverse cross-section. an enclosing housing mounted on the rear side of said face plate and forming an insulating space, a liquid holding tank in said insulating space, a vaporizing chamber in said insulating space. electric heating means for heating said face plate and for heating a vaporizing surface in said vaporizing chamber, liquid flow means connecting said tank and chamber, a valve in said liquid flow means, and a device carried by said shoe ironing member having a. button actuated by contact with said roll ironing member for controlling the opening of said valve.

JOHN B. DYER. 

